When Snowflakes Fall | Completed

Chapter 1 | Icy Roads

BEXLEY TURNER

SOFT SNOWFLAKES LAND ON the windshield of my truck, blocking my view of the icy road in front of me. The windshield wipers swipe the flakes of snow away just in time for me to see that the car in front of me has stopped. I slam on my brakes, stopping my truck quickly, slightly sliding on the ice, and almost crashing into the car.

I breathe out and then peer into the backseat to see if my son was woken up. I sigh in relief when his eyes are still closed and his mouth is slightly open, releasing soft snores. His hands are still clutching his gray baby blanket and his winter hat has fallen on the floor.

Honking behind me makes me jump and look in front of myself, at the empty road ahead. I press on the gas and start driving, driving away from angry people in cars behind me. This is not the time of year to piss off drivers. Christmas is right around the corner and people apparently think the world revolves around them.

I pull off the freeway and onto the main road that takes me to a restaurant. The sun is slowly starting to set and neither I nor Nash has eaten since breakfast. When I find the entrance to the restaurant and a parking spot, I park my truck and then get out, shivering as a gust of winter air blows past me. I open the backdoor of the truck and lightly shake Nash awake.

"Nash darling, wake up," I run my fingers through his soft, dark brown hair. That dark brown hair. I shake my head, tears forming in my blue eyes. I made my decision six years ago and I have to live with it.

"Mama?" His blue eyes flutter open, sleep crust on the inside corners. "Are we at Aunt Chrissy's house yet?" He rubs his eyes, looking at me in question.

"Not yet, darling," I unbuckle his booster seat and effortlessly pull him out. "You hungry?" I ask him while putting his winter hat back on his head. I grab his smaller hand and cross the driveway to the entrance of the restaurant.

He giggles, pulling his hat down after a gust of wind almost knocks it off his head. "Mhm, can I have chicken nuggets?"

"Of course," I smile, grabbing his hand again, scared he might wander off.

"Table for two," I tell the hostess as I make it to the counter, Nash still next to me as his eyes wander around the Olive Garden.

"Booth or table?"

"Booth," I respond and the hostess nods before showing us to our seat. Nash and I take off our winter jackets and then he sits on my lap, coloring on the paper kids menu they provide.

My phone chimes with a notification and I grab it out of my purse. I click the power button and slightly smile when I see that it's a text from my sister, Chrissy.

Hey, when are you and Nash getting here? I want to see my nephew and of course my gorgeous sister. The message reads and I smile before typing back.

We'll be there by tomorrow, I promise. I send back and then add, I'll text you back later. Nash and I are at dinner right now. Oh, and tell Jared I said hi.

Will do, buckaroo. Is her reply, making me laugh. Love you and please drive safe.

You know I will. I turn my phone off and put it back in my purse. The next hour is spent at the Olive Garden before I'm back on the road, driving to Oregon as Nash sleeps in the backseat.

Thank you for reading!